This document summarizes the key differences between using online databases versus Google for research. It notes that databases contain professionally published and identifiable authoritative information, while Google contains much personally generated content of questionable authority. Though Google allows broad searching, databases provide easier search parameters and quicker access to quality information relevant for student research. The document encourages using library databases, which are available to students anytime through the school library research page.

1. Library Research
…with or without
research @

2. Databases vs. Google
Databases: Google:
 Professionally
 Much personally
published generated content
information
 Questionable
authority
 Identifiable authority  Difficult to focus
 Easy search search
paramaters  May take a long
 Quick access to time to get quality
quality information information

3. Google
 Offersthe most popular search engine
 Has developed lots of other applications
 The most successful advertising
company in history
 Uses data mining & targeted advertising
based on user habits

4. Google Search Results
Results page lists links delivered in order
of “Google authority,” affected by, amongst
other things:
 Page content (relevancy)
 Backlinks (domain authority)
 Profitability for Google

5. Google “Authority” Implications:
 Google good for quickly finding non-
controversial, authoritative sites
(eg: a movie home page)
 Google bad for quickly finding factual
information on controversial topics
(eg: Israel-Palestine conflict)
 Skewed results towards “page
spammers,” “content farmers,” and
commercial / Google-owned sites

6. Google Search Example:
“Global Warming”
www.google.ca

7. “Global Warming”
 ~197,000,000 results (@ time slide created)
 Lots of sponsored links - $$$ factor
 Wikipedia entry - $$$ factor
 Google News - $$$ factor
 Charities - $$$ factor
 Good (and poor / biased / outdated)
information sources
You must spend a lot of time assessing
page content to assure quality information!

8. Who wants to spend that much
time trying to find good
information?

9. Online Databases
…the time-saving solution!

10. Databases available to CKSS:
 EBSCO Host – huge database;
international focus
 Gale Cengage – “Powersearch” =
big database; lots of Cdn. Content
 SIRS (Social Issues Resource Series) –
large; issue-based, American focus
Home-use passwords available!

11. Databases Available 24/7 Online:
… via the CKSS Library
Research Page

12. Thanks for viewing this
tutorial presentation!
cksslibrary.blogspot.ca